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Salem (NH) football preview

2006 record: 8-4, lost in Division 1 finals

Returning starters (10): Hal Landers, Sr., QB/DB, 5-11, 165; Shane McMahon, Sr., RB, 5-9, 165; Kevin Sledge, Sr., RB, 6-0, 185; Jim Stewart, Sr., RB/ILB, 5-11, 215; Chris Sousa, Sr., TE/OLB, 5-9, 180; Tom Tetreault, Sr., OL, 5-8, 210; Ryan Stanton, Sr., DL, 6-0, 230; Jharid Pratt, Sr., ILB, 5-10, 190; Peter Allain, Sr., QB/DB, 5-9, 170

Returning lettermen: Nick Cavallo, Sr., TE/DB/K/P, 6-0, 160; Jon Morin, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 255; Pat Courtois, Sr., OL, 6-2, 265; Steve Comtois, Jr., OL, 5-8, 185

Newcomers: Carl Ghannad, Sr., OLB, 5-8, 145; Shane Mattogno, Sr., DL, 5-9, 185; Shawn Stoodley, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 190; Vinny Manfrati, Jr., OL/DL, 5-9, 230; Vinny Parks, Sr., TE/DL, 6-1, 190; Matt O'Shaughnessy, Sr., OL, 5-9, 205; Chris Najem, Jr., RB, 5-11, 210; Kyle Kenney, Jr., RB, 5-9, 175; Josh Marks, Sr., RB, 5-9, 165; Cory Lavallee, Jr., WR, 5-9, 170; Kyle Henrick, Soph., TE/DE, 5-11, 190

Candidates in all grades: 106

Captains: Hal Landers, Peter Allain, Chris Sousa

Returning leaders: Shane McMahon 174-1,083-6.2, 14 TDs; Kevin Sledge 110-658-6.0, 6 TDs; Hal Landers 37-86-653, 6 passing TDs

Returning honorees: Shane McMahon, Eagle-Tribune All-Star, All-Division 1

Assistants: Dan Keleher, Steve Malisos, Matt Barry, Russ Massahos (freshmen), Ryan Barry (freshmen), Jim Gargano

Opener: Aug. 31, vs. Timberlane

Odds and ends: Salem lost to Pinkerton in Division 1 title game for the second straight season. ... The Blue Devils beat Manchester West 42-14 in the final week of the season to make the playoffs. ... They return the dynamic backfield trio of Shane McMahon (1,083 yards), Kevin Sledge (658 yards in injury-plagued season) and Hal Landers (6 TD passes). ... Eagle-Tribune All-Star linemen John Emerzian and Jared Ciriello. ... How about Mr. Versatility? Chris Sousa, a three-year starter at linebacker, played running back as a sophomore, started at guard last year and now moves out to tight end. ... Basketball players Shawn Stoodley and Kevin Sledge hope to carry some of their state championship magic to the gridiron.

Coach Jack Gati (14th year, 86-56): "We have some skill players back from last year, and that's our strength this year. We're just trying to get some depth and get the offensive and defensive lines shored up. We've been working hard to get some receivers. Chris Sousa and Nick Cavallo, they're really going to help the offense open up. They've done well so far in the preseason. Our strength in defense is our linebackers and the secondary, since we have three returning linebackers. Shane McMahon will be another good defender if he can pick up that side of the ball. It's our defensive line that's inexperienced. We're getting better at that."